Food for thought as we pause to celebrate our nations independence! In 1826, at the age of 90, John Adams lay on his deathbed while the rest of the country celebrated Independence Day. His last words were reportedly “Jefferson survives”. But he was mistaken. Thomas Jefferson had died five hours earlier at Monticello at the age of 82. It’s interesting that the only two signers of the Declaration of Independence who also went on to become President of the United States, who were friends, adversaries and then friends again, died on the same day, July 4th, 1826. Fifty years earlier, in a July 3, 1776 letter to his wife, Abigail, John Adams wrote the following about Independence Day celebrations: The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. Adams’s prediction was, of course, off by two days. July 2 was the date the resolution of independence was approved by Congress. On July 4, Congress approved the final text of the Declaration. But all of that is really irrelevant. Adams words are powerful and moving, and worth remembering as we prepare to celebrate perhaps the greatest day in the history of this great Country- The 4th of July, Our Independence day! Have a great weekend all!!!
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 02:06:57 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015